Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct. 26: The Sarthini Scheme, a unique women-centric initiative jointly implemented by the RSETI State Bank of India (SBI) and the Transport Department, A&N Administration, has emerged as a powerful vehicle of change by providing free Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) driving training to women across the islands. Under the guidance of Chief Secretary, the SARTHINI scheme was launched with the aim to provide free driving training to women from diverse communities in this UT, especially from poor and underprivileged backgrounds who are being trained in driving and vehicle operation, enabling them to become self-sufficient and economically empowered. This collaborative initiative continues to make a remarkable impact in promoting women’s empowerment and self-reliance across the Islands.
Under the scheme, SBI, in partnership with the Transport Department, designed the training modules to not only teach driving skills but also impart confidence, road safety education, and entrepreneurial guidance. Hundreds of women from both urban and remote island regions have joined the program with great enthusiasm.
Encouraging responses have so far been received from the female applicants from all over the UT. In this direction, first batch of 34 female candidates have completed their training in driving alongwith entrepreneurial module which started on 30.8.2025 in Swaraj Dweep. After successful completion of the training, the participants exuded improved confidence. After receiving the training completion certificate alongwith driving license Ms.Arpita Roy a resident of Swaraj Dweep was grateful to the Chief Secretary for providing such an opportunity as most of the females in their area never thought about getting outside their house without depending upon others for their mobility needs. Females from remote and faraway places have come to this training and we are able to learn not only on the correct and safe driving procedure but also about the vehicle mechanism which will help during emergent situations.
The benefits of the scheme were extended to the remote locations of the UT including Car Nicobar, Katchal, Champin, and far-flung areas such as Pashchim Sagar, Tal Bagan, Ramnagar, and Hathilevel in Diglipur Tehsil.
In Mayabunder tehsil, the scheme was inaugurated on 12.09.2025 with enrollment of 32 candidates and in Diglipur tehsil, the scheme was inaugurated on 14.10.2025 with enrollment of 30 candidates. In Sri Vijaya Puram Tehsil, the scheme was inaugurated on 06.10.2025 with enrollment of 33 candidates.
Beneficiaries have expressed their immense happiness and gratitude for the opportunities the Sarthini Scheme has created. Many participants shared that acquiring driving skills has allowed them to support their families more effectively, from taking dependents to hospitals and transporting school children, to engaging in tourism-related activities and ferrying village produce such as vegetables to nearby markets. This has not only enhanced their household income but also promoted savings and reduced dependence on others. Ms.Anjali from Champin Island, Nicobar District informed that she came to know about the Sarthini scheme through one of her friend and she has enrolled in the scheme to enable her to operate a travel agency. She thanked RSETISBI for providing such opportunity to her. Ms. Tanu from Katchal Island shared her experience. She said she came to know about the scheme through her friend and approached SBI and enrolled in the scheme. She informed that apart from practical and theoretical training, SBI officials have also briefed about basic banking fundamentals and other Government schemes. This scheme not only helped her for skill development but also inter-personnel development. One of the beneficiaries from Mithakhari village under Sri Vijaya Puram Tehsil, Smti. Rabina Khatun informed that she came to know about the scheme through news. Thereafter, she applied for the scheme and was short listed. She further informed that this scheme has immense benefits ranging from dropping children to school, going for household purchases, self-employment, tourism activities, applying for Government jobs, income generation. This is a good platform for learning driving by the woman engaged in SHGs etc. All the above candidates thanked RSETI, SBI for providing them with such opportunity for learning driving skills.
Tribal women from Car Nicobar, Katchal & Champin Islands and participants from communities like the Karen and Ranchi have shown impressive participation. Their stories reflect a growing sense of independence and social inclusion. Some beneficiaries have even started earning through eco-tourism services and school transport vehicles, turning their driving skills into sustainable livelihoods.
A senior official from the Transport Department remarked, “The Sarthini Scheme symbolizes a major step toward women-led development. By bringing skill training right to their doorstep, we are empowering women to take charge of their futures while improving mobility and connectivity across our islands.”
SBI representatives added that the initiative aligns with the bank’s broader vision of inclusive growth and community development. The Bank aims to continue supporting such socially meaningful programs in partnership with the administration to nurture economic participation and empowerment among women.
The Department plans to further expand the program’s reach by establishing additional training centres and encouraging more participants from interior villages to enroll. With growing success stories, the Sarthini Scheme is paving the way for lasting socio-economic transformation in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
This entrepreneurship training initiative is a significant step towards women empowerment and skill development in the Islands, helping women become self-reliant and enabling them to explore employment and self-employment opportunities.